The Texas Council on Family Violence and the Foundation for Improvement of Justice, Inc. in Atlanta have recognized El Paso County District Attorney Jaime Esparza with a national award for protecting victims of domestic violence.

The foundation named Esparza the Paul H. Chapman Award Winner "for his efforts to save lives, increase the quality of life for our most vulnerable and forcing his peers in the justice system to closely examine their role," officials said in a news release.

Officials said Esparza's 24 Hour Contact program helps move family violence crimes more quickly and efficiently through the criminal justice system, and holds family violence offenders accountable for their acts of criminal violence. Within 24 hours of an arrest, a victim advocate and an investigator will visit the victim to assess their well being and to offer information on resources. Investigators also collect critical evidence and take photographs during their visit, obtain the 911 call and a video from police dispatched to the scene, and look into criminal history of the offender.

"The 24-hour contact program improves our prosecution efforts," Esparza said. "As a result, victims and the community are better served. Domestic violence cases are complex and very serious crimes that require our full attention and a well-coordinated criminal justice response."